The British high street has suffered further setbacks, with a string of brands announcing closures, from banks shutting some of their final remaining branches to once-beloved stationery shops closing for good.
River Island and TGJones closures
Among those confirming closures is fashion retailer River Island. The well-known brand, which operates around 200 shops nationwide, is preparing to close its Sheffield city centre store next month and has launched a closing-down sale for shoppers.
The branch, situated at 15 The Moor, is scheduled to shut its doors on September 1 and has reduced prices on selected items by 30% ahead of the closure. In addition, the brand's Oxford Street store in Swansea is also due to close on September 12.
These closures come just a year after River Island secured High Court approval for a major reorganisation plan. The brand suffered a pre-tax loss of £32.3 million last year, and has already closed over 30 stores this year.
Meanwhile, TGJones has launched a closing-down sale at its branch in Inverness, Scotland, though a final closing date has yet to be confirmed. Its branch in Swindon is set to close on September 14, while another in Southend-on-Sea is scheduled to shut on September 26.
The WHSmith high street arm was sold last year and rebranded as TG Jones in a £76million shake-up to try and save the business. Trading is understood to have been poor, however. TG Jones's owner, Modella Capital, gained approval for a company-wide restructure on July 1. Up to 150 stores are thought to be at risk of closure, and rent is set to be cut by 15 to 75 per cent on hundreds more.
Sayers Bakery and Hancock & Wood
Much-loved bakery chain Sayers Bakery, established in 1912, has announced the closure of 19 of its 91 branches. The brand has outlets across Merseyside and enjoys huge popularity in the region.
While the specific branches facing closure are yet to be confirmed, a spokesperson for parent company Sayers and Poundbakery Limited said: "Following a comprehensive review of our store portfolio, the company has concluded that a number of locations are no longer commercially viable.
"After careful consideration, the senior management has therefore proposed to close 19 underperforming shops at the end of August 2026, which is expected to result in approx 100 redundancies. This has come about after a very difficult trading period due to a number of factors, particularly a change in customer shopping habits, which has led to a reduction of people on the high street along with inflation on the cost of running the business, which has been difficult to pass on to customers whilst also maintaining sales volumes."
In further blow to the British high street, Warrington, Cheshire department store Hancock & Wood has shut its doors for good after an impressive 112 years in business. In a heartfelt statement posted on its Facebook page, the beloved retailer said: "For over a century, we've been more than a department store. We've been a place where friendships were made, generations returned, and our incredible staff welcomed everyone through the doors with care, kindness and a smile."
The store paid tribute to every member of staff, supplier and loyal customer who has supported the business throughout its 112-year history, adding: "You have written the story of Hancock & Wood with us, and we will be forever grateful. While our doors may close, the memories made within these walls will live on in the hearts of our staff, our customers, and the town we have proudly called home for more than a century. Thank you, Warrington. It has been the greatest privilege."
Lloyds Banking Group closures
Lloyds Banking Group has revealed a fresh wave of closures across its Lloyds, Halifax and Royal Bank of Scotland branches. In addition, 200 Halifax locations are set to be converted into Lloyds branches in 2027 as part of a wider brand consolidation drive.
The September closures follow Halifax shutting 25 branches back in June. The banking giant stated that decisions regarding the future of its branches are "based on a range of factors, including how customers are choosing to bank and the availability of nearby services".
Full list of Lloyds Banking Group bank closures in September:
Halifax
Horsham: 08/09/2026
Cannock: 09/09/2026
Barrow-in-Furness: 10/09/2026
Milton Keynes: 23/09/2026
Woking: 23/09/2026
Guildford: 24/09/2026
London - Camden Town: 24/09/2026
Canterbury: 28/09/2026
Wimbledon: 28/09/2026
North Finchley: 28/09/2026
Durham: 29/09/2026
Ealing Broadway: 29/09/2026
Basingstoke: 30/09/2026
Bury St Edmunds: 30/09/2026
High Wycombe: 30/09/2026
Lloyds Bank
Birmingham - Handsworth: 23/09/2026
City of London - Whitechapel High Street: 23/09/2026
Harrow: 23/09/2026
Chelmsford: 24/09/2026
Carlisle: 29/09/2026
Royal Bank of Scotland
Milngavie: 08/09/2026
Arbroath: 09/09/2026
Castle Douglas: 10/09/2026
Motherwell: 10/09/2026
Biggar: 16/09/2026
Glasgow - Giffnock: 17/09/2026
